Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is located approximately 13 kilometers northeast of Madrid's city center, in the district of Barajas.
It is Spain's largest and busiest airport, and the more than 60 million passengers handled annually make it the 5th busiest in Europe.
it serves as a primary gateway to the country and a significant hub for international travel. It offers connections to more than 250 destinations in 5 continents, facilitated by nearly 80 airlines.
Major Airlines - Iberia, Ryanair, Air Europa
The airport serves as the primary hub for Iberia, Spain's flagship carrier. Ryanair and Air Europa also have a significant presence with over 20 routes each.
In total, more than 70 airlines connect Madrid to various destinations across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Find out more about the airlines at Madrid-Barajas Airport
Check-in Process
Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights and inter-Schengen flights and 3 hours before international flights.
You can check in online or via a mobile app up to 24-48 hours before the flight, depending on the airline and your destination.
Check-in counters are available in all terminals, with specific areas designated for different airlines. Bags drop-off is in the same area of the airport. After completing check-in procedures, proceed through security to the departure lounges and the gates.
Note that some low-budget airlines may charge a fee for manual check-in.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Madrid Airport comprises of five terminals:
Terminal 1 (T1): Primarily handles international flights.
Terminal 2 (T2): Serves both domestic and European flights within the Schengen Area.
Terminal 3 (T3): A smaller terminal that supports operations of T1 and T2.
Terminal 4 (T4): The newest terminal, inaugurated in 2006. It is one of the world’s largest terminals and handles a significant portion of the airport's traffic, including many Iberia flights.
Terminal 4 Satellite (T4S): Connected to T4 via an automated people mover, T4S manages additional non-Schengen flights.
The terminals are color-coded to ease navigation: T1 is orange, T2 is green, T3 is red, and T4’s central part is yellow, with a blue area on the north side and a red area on the south side. T4S doesn’t have a dominant color as it’s a satellite building.
T1, T2, and T3 are connected airside and you can walk between them. You don’t need to clear Immigration and Customs if you have a connecting flight at any of those terminals.
Terminals T4 and T4S are connected by an automated train, the “automated people mover (APM)” and you can transit between them without entering Spain too.
T4 and T4S are also connected to terminals T1, T2, and T3 by bus, train, or microbus but only landside, i.e. you need to officially enter Spain (and the Schengen Area) to transit between them.
Gate numbers are continuous in terminals 1, 2, and 3 (A1 to E89) and separate in terminals 4 and 4S (with letters H, J, K in T4 and M, R, S, U in T4S).
Dining Options
Madrid Airport is such a massive airport that it’s no surprise it houses a huge variety of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Here is just a tiny selection of the different options:
Pura Brasa: Located in Terminal 1, near gates C, this open-kitchen restaurant offers some of the best grilled meats at the airport.
Le Coq: Situated in the public zone of Terminal 2, Le Coq specializes in fresh grilled chicken in a warm and social environment.
Hungry Club: Find it in Terminal 3, near gates E. This unique restaurant changes its menu throughout the day and includes unexpected items like ramen, laksa, pizzas with kimchi, hot dogs, and delicious pastries.
Kirei by Kabuki: Located in Terminal 4, near gates J, Kirei offers Japanese cuisine, including sushi and sashimi. The kitchen is supervised by a Michelin-star-winning chef and the food is stellar.
Lounges
Every terminal of the airport has 1 VIP lounge accessible to business class travelers and certain frequent flyer members:
Terminal 1 has the New VIP Lounge, located in the boarding area and only available to passengers with T1 boarding cards.
Terminal 2 has Puerta de Alcalá VIP Lounge, located on the 1st floor in the boarding area and reserved for passengers on domestic and Schengen flights.
Terminal 3 has Puerta Del Sol VIP Lounge, located on the 2nd floor in the boarding area and available to those flying domestically or within Schengen.
Terminal 4 has Plaza Mayor VIP Lounge, located in the boarding area and reserved for domestic and Schengen flights.
Terminal 4S has Neptuno VIP Lounge, located on the 2nd floor of the satellite building and reserved for those traveling on non-Schengen flights and holding a Terminal T4S boarding pass.
Access to all lounges, subject to fulfilling the requirements and availability, can be purchased online too.
VIP Services
Various VIP services designed to streamline the airport experience are offered at Madrid-Barajas. Most of those are available to Business or associated loyalty card users (confirm with your airline) but anyone can buy a ticket from the official channels.
Fast Lane: Get priority access to the security checkpoints.
Fast Track: Separate and exclusive access to the security checkpoint.
Meet&Assist: Meet and greet, exclusive service, and escort through the airport.
Premium Lounge: A totally exclusive VIP lounge with separate boarding and arrival flow.
WiFi at Madrid-Barajas Airport
The airport provides free-of-charge, fast Wifi at all terminals and in front of all gates.
To access the wifi, connect to “Airport Free Wifi Aena” and enter your email on the welcome portal screen. You will have 15 minutes to confirm your email, after which wifi is free without time limitations.
Transportation to and from the Airport
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is connected extremely well to downtown Madrid and the surrounding region. You have a choice between the underground, buses, trains, taxis, renting a car, or a private transfer.
Metro: Line 8 of the Madrid Metro connects the airport to the city center, with stations at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 4. Trains run approximately every 5 minutes between 06:05 to 02:00. A single ticket + the airport supplement costs 4.50 to 5.00 EUR.
- Trains: Two train lines terminate at Madrid Airport. The station is at T4/T4S.
Line C1 connects the airport with Principe Pio.
Line C10 connects the airport with Villalba.
Bus: The Exprés Aeropuerto #203 offers express buses between the airport and Atocha Station in the city center and runs 24/7. It stops at Terminals 1, 2, and 4, as well as O’Donnel and Cibeles.
Bus Line 101 connects Barajas with Canillejas and stops at T1 and T2.
Bus Line 200 takes passengers from T1, T2, and T4 and terminates at Avenida de America.Taxi: Taxi ranks are situated in front of all terminals. Only take official taxis - you can recognize them by the white color with a red stripe and the coat-of-arms of Madrid City Council on the doors. A ride to the city center typically takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs around 30-35 EUR.
- Uber: It’s possible to book an Uber at Madrid-Barajas Airport and take it from the exclusive parking areas:
P1 Car Park near T1
T2 Arrivals Express Car Park
Car Park P4, Module 4, Floor 4, near T1
Car Hire: Several car rental companies operate within the airport. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak travel seasons
Chauffeur-driven vehicles: Vehicles with private chauffeurs can be hired from designated meeting points in T1, T2, and T4.
Click here to book a private transfer from Madrid Airport.
Parking
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport provides various parking options, including express, short-term, and long-term parking, as well as parking for bicycles and motorcycles.
Express Parking: Directly opposite Terminal 1. Perfect for short stays up to 30 minutes.
General Parking (P1): Located next to Terminal 1, just 2 minutes away. Ideal for parking under 4 days and for picking up or dropping off passengers. Charged by the minute. At the back of P1, there is an entrance/exit just for motorcycles.
Long-Stay Parking: Situated a bit further from the terminals, this is the ideal solution for holidays or long trips. There is a free bus service to the airport terminals.
Bicycle Parking: There are two zones in Terminal 1, both free of charge but unguarded. Follow the signs to find the bicycle stands.
Hotels
For very short layovers, check out HelloSky Air Rooms Madrid in Terminal 4, which offers short-stay quiet rooms and comfortable beds.
For full-service hotels near the airport, look for a hotel in the town of Barajas, just a few minutes from Terminals 1, 2, and 3. There are various options for different budgets.
To explore more hotels near Madrid-Barajas Airport, click here.
Madrid, Spain
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